Hacking News

Beyonce's Hot Clip - Not Safe for Your Computer

New malicious campaign started

By Bogdan Popa, Security and Search Engines Editor

30th of August 2007, 09:46 GMT

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Security company Sophos discovered a new dangerous campaign that aims to install a malicious file on the vulnerable computers that would help them obtain private information. The entire process is based on a simple system: the attacker sends numerous emails to potential victims and encourages them to click on

a link in order to view a video with some famous singers. Obviously, the clip redirects the users to a dangerous website that attempts to transform the computer into a malware distribution center which is then used to send new messages.

According to the same security company, most of the emails sustain they redirect the users to videos showing Beyonce, The Eagles, Rihanna, Foo Fighters and many others. If you decide to click on the link attached to the message, you might get infected with Troj/JSXor-Gen or Mal/Dorf-E, two dangerous files installed on the page.

"Earlier this week hackers were pretending that their emails pointed to a YouTube video, before that they posed as Ecards or breaking news stories. What's clear is that they will keep on adopting new disguises to try and infect the Windows computers of innocent internet surfers," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos.

"Some may find the prospect of viewing the next Beyonce video irresistible. This is less of a technological problem, and more of a human problem. It may sound like a broken record because we say it so often, but people need to stop clicking on links in unsolicited emails or risk a computer virus infection."

As always, you're encouraged to keep your antivirus protection up to date with the latest virus definitions but you should also avoid clicking on unknown messages delivered into your inbox. In addition, you can refuse opening emails which have as the subject the following messages: "awesome new videos", "cool video is out", "dude this is not even on MTV yet", "this video rocks" or "OMG, check out the new video."

TAGS:

security | trojan | beyonce | rihanna | email

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